VidMate vs TubeMate: Which YouTube Downloader to Use?
TubeMate is one of the oldest YouTube downloaders for Android, and VidMate is one of the most widely installed. People who used TubeMate years ago often wonder whether it’s still worth it, or whether VidMate has replaced it. Here’s a practical comparison.
Two different ideas
The apps grew from different goals:
- TubeMate started as a focused YouTube downloader. Its screen is essentially the YouTube mobile site with a green download button added.
- VidMate was built as an all-in-one video app: a home screen with many sites, trending videos and a large download manager.
That difference explains almost everything else below.
Comparison table
| VidMate | TubeMate | |
|---|---|---|
| Main focus | Many sites | YouTube first |
| Installed from | APK | APK |
| YouTube resolutions | 144p–1080p, higher where available | 144p–1080p, higher where available |
| MP3 conversion | Built in | Built in (older versions needed an extra plugin) |
| Other video sites | Many shortcuts | A few |
| Parallel downloads | Yes | Yes |
| Interface | Busy, portal-style | Simple, YouTube-like |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
YouTube downloading
For YouTube alone, the two are close. Both list the available resolutions, both can download video and audio separately and combine them for high resolutions, and both handle playlists one video at a time. TubeMate feels more natural if you’re used to YouTube’s layout, because that’s what you see. VidMate adds its own search and suggestions on top.
MP3 and audio
Both convert YouTube audio to MP3. TubeMate historically relied on a separate converter add-on, which confused many users; current versions handle it internally. VidMate has always had MP3 built in. For someone who wants a song in two taps, VidMate is slightly more direct.
Other websites
This is where VidMate clearly leads. Its home screen has shortcuts to many video and social sites, and its built-in browser detects videos on pages you open. TubeMate supports a few extra sites, but it’s really a YouTube tool.
That said, for social media you may not need either app. For TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, Likee or Pinterest, the VidMate web downloader on this site saves the video directly in your browser: HD, normal quality or MP3, on Android, iPhone and PC.
Download manager
Both apps queue downloads and resume after interruptions. VidMate’s manager is more detailed, with clear progress, pause and resume for each file, and good background behaviour. TubeMate’s is simpler but reliable. Heavy downloaders tend to prefer VidMate.
Ads, size and speed
Both are free with ads. TubeMate’s APK is usually smaller and the app starts faster on older phones with 2 GB of RAM or less. VidMate is heavier but does more. Download speed depends far more on your connection than on the app.
Safety tips for both APKs
Neither app is on Google Play, so fake versions circulate. Whichever you choose:
- Download the APK from a page that shows the version and file size.
- Don’t install versions labelled “mod”, “premium” or “no ads”.
- Refuse the install if it asks for SMS, contacts or accessibility permissions.
- Turn “Install unknown apps” off again after installing.
Or install the VidMate app from your browser instead: no APK, no permissions, and YouTube in 1080p and MP3.
Which one should you install?
- TubeMate suits you if you only download from YouTube, have an older phone, and like a plain interface.
- VidMate suits you if you want one app for many sites, download often, or want MP3 and video in one place.
- For social media links, skip both and use the web downloader in your browser.